Another red card spelled a late lead slipping away, spelled another defeat for Chelsea on Saturday as the Blues lost 3-1 to Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
WATCH — Chelsea v Brighton full match replay
Enzo Maresca’s side was undone by Robert Sanchez’s 5th-minute red card against Manchester United last weekend, and this time it was Trevoh Chalobah who was sent off for a DOGSO challenge on Kaoru Mitoma in the 49th minute.
To that point, Chelsea were beyond dominant and in complete control of the game — 1-0 up with 70 percent of possession and a 1.29-0.11 xG advantage in the first half — but oh how quickly it all unraveled after the restart. Brighton had all of the chances with their man advantage and, with a bit of patience, were runaway winners in the end.
Danny Welbeck headed home Yankuba Minteh’s cross in the 77th minute to make it 1-1 and Maxim De Cuyper did the same with Mats Wieffer’s corner kick in the 92nd. Welbeck put the cherry on top with a deft finish past Sanchez in the 10th minute of stoppage time.
What’s next?
- Chelsea vs Brighton — Tuesday, 3 pm ET
- Chelsea vs Liverpool — Saturday, 12:30 pm ET (next PL fixture)
- Wolves vs Brighton — Sunday, 9 am ET
Chelsea vs Brighton live updates - by Andy Edwards
Chelsea vs Brighton final score: 1-3
Goalscorers: Enzo Fernandez (24'), Danny Welbeck (77', 90'+9), Maxime De Cuyper (90'+1)
GOAL! Chelsea 1-3 Brighton: Welbeck seals it with his second of the game (90'+9)
GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Brighton: De Cuyper heads home Wieffer’s corner kick (90'+1)
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Brighton: Welbeck heads home a laser cross from Minteh (77')
RED CARD! Trevoh Chalobah sent off for a clumsy DOGSO challenge (53')
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brighton: Fernandez heads home at the back post (24')
KICKOFF! We are underway at Stamford Bridge
Anybody else surprised shocked that Enzo Maresca has gone right back to Robert Sanchez in goal today? Personally, I would want to trust my starting goalkeeper, and, well…
Chelsea starting lineup
Sanchez - James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella - Caicedo, Santos, Fernandez - Estevao, Neto, Pedro
Brighton starting lineup
Verbruggen - Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu - Baleba, Ayari, Gomez - Minteh, Mitoma, Rutter
How to watch Chelsea vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
The Blues dodged a midweek cup scare at Lincoln City to snap a three-match winless run across all competitions, and a Week 6 win would further strengthen confidence ahead of next week’s Champions League visit from Benfica.
Brighton got a four-goal show from Diego Gomez in the League Cup at Barnsley on Tuesday, the haul headlining their progression to the fourth round. It came after a home draw with Tottenham Hotspur, as Fabian Hurzeler continues to find his way following the sale of Joao Pedro. This fixtures kicks off a tough four-game stretch that goes onto include Wolves, Newcastle United, and Manchester United.
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Cole Palmer (groin - MORE), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf), Wesley Fofana (concussion), Facundo Buonanotte (loan - unable to face parent club), Liam Delap (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Romeo Lavia (undisclosed), Levi Colwill (torn ACL - MORE), Benoit Badiashile (knock), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Marc Guiu (undisclosed), Josh Acheampong (illness)
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee)
Chelsea vs Brighton prediction
The Blues are heavy favorites but absences are adding up with a suspended goalkeeper joining one injured center forward, one down center mids, and two ailing center backs. Cole Palmer’s health is getting the kid gloves treatment now, too. Brighton’s injury list is less and they were able to ease through their midweek. Might it be enough to get another Seagull point from a London power? Chelsea 2-1 Brighton.
